Rosh Yeshiva

Rav Shmuel has been a Rebbi in Yeshiva Shor Yoshuv for over three decades, during which he has taught and shaped the lives of hundreds of talmidim. He maintains a close relationship with these talmidim long after they have left the friendly confines of the Yeshiva. He is the author of two seforim, Sefer Beshaarei Hamoadim concerning personal preparation for the Yomim Noraim, and Sefer Bishvili Nivra Haolam concerning finding and fulfilling one's personal mission in this world.

In addition to influencing people with his wisdom, Rav Shmuel has used his musical talents to reach the hearts and souls of Jews across the world. He is the Yeshiva’s Baal Tefillah on the Yamim Noraim. His Simchas Torah Hallel attracts hundreds of people from Far Rockaway and surrounding communities. The Friday night “tish” at his home attracts both bachurim and “baalai batim”. He has, to date, produced 18 albums of his own compositions including the “Regesh” Series which contain many of today’s most popular Jewish “nigunim”. Rav Shmuel also shares his special Shabbos experience with communities across the United States and Canada. As a frequent “scholar in residence” at out of town Shabbatons as well as Melava Malkas, he inspires other yeshivos and communities with his moving derashos and kumsitzes.

Rav Shmuel is also the composer of the widespread Shalom Aleichem melody. His well known CDs are distributed under the name "Regesh."

Pesach

MORE SHORT INSIGHTS INTO THE HAGADDAH 5772

Pesach

Why is there no beracha on reciting of the סיפור יציאת מצרים just as we find prior to fulfilling any mitzvah? We can answer this by referring to another question. In the beginning of parshas Bo we find the 8^th plague of locusts.

SHORT INSIGHTS ON THE HAGADAH 5772

Pesach

י"ג סימנים של הסדר

Pesach - Step up to the Plate 5772

Pesach

It’s time again to take out the Seder Plate and polish it up very shiny amongst the other silver vessels to be used at the Seder. Yet somehow it doesn’t equal the fancy and the excitement as the making of the horseradish and the charoses which seem to elicit more enthusiasm. After all it is just a fancy plate upon which we place all the real important symbols from which we will partake from during the seder and converse about them. Then again, if we take a deeper look at this unassuming Seder Plate we might find that it might be almost the most important object on the Seder table.

THINKING EMUNAH 5771

We have just added to our spiritual arsenal another Pesach imbuing us with refreshed emunah. The last days of Pesach upon which occurred the splitting of the Yam Suf has helped us to reaffirm our belief in Hashem and Moshe Rabbeinu as the passuk says ויאמינו בה' ובמשה עבדו. Emunah is an integral part of our lives. We are required to answer 90 Amens daily. We recite the 13 foundations of emunah every day. In order to achieve the level of a tzaddik one must be immersed in emunah as the passuk says צדיק באמונתו יחיה.

THE SOURCE OF JEWISH SYNERGY 5771

Pesach

We say in the dayeinu of the Haggadah אילו קרבנו לפני הר סיני ולא נתן לנו את התורה דיינו. This is a very perplexing statement. If Hashem would have brought us near in front of Har Sinai and not have given us the Torah it would have sufficed? The sole purpose of yetzias Mitzrayim was to receive the Torah as Hashem instructed Moshe תעבדון את האלקים על ההר הזה. If so how could we say it would have been enough?

THE KITTEL AND THE BIGDAI KOHEN GADOL 5771

Pesach

In this dvar Torah we would like to render a new pashat in the significance of wearing the “kittel” during the Seder.

Last week we spoke about how the obligation of the Seder night is not only to relate one’s exodus from Egypt but he must also express his faith in the future redemption. Just like Hashem anticipated the night of Yetzias Mitrayim as the passuk says ליל שימורים לה' He is also waiting for the coming of Moshiach. So too we on this night of the Seder must emulate Hashem’s anticipation for the coming of the redemption.

ELIYAHU AND THE SEDER NIGHT DOOR 5771

Pesach

ELIYAHU AND THE SEDER NIGHT DOOR

PESACH – THE TIME TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE 5771

Pesach

The Torah states that the purpose of Yetzias Mitzrayim was to receive the Torah at Har Sinai תעבדון אלקים על ההר הזה. In fact the Sefas Emes alludes to this by saying that the ten makos that brought Yisrael their redemption corresponded to the aseres hadibros. Another hinting to this idea can be gleaned from the passuk וימררו את חייהם בעבודה קשה בחומר ובלבנים ובכל עבודה בשדה The Egyptians embittered their lives with mortar and bricks with work in the fields etc.